Everything was perfect. And it was as simple as that, too. Sure, there were a few details that added some bumps in the road, but despite everything, Demeter was happy. It had been so long since she felt this kind of happiness, but every time she looked at the smile of her darling baby girl, she couldn't help but smile also. She made Demeter's days brighter, which also made the lives of the mortals all the brighter. The sun seemed to shine more, the crops grew by the plenty. Truth be told, everything on earth couldn't be more perfect. Everyone was happy, including the gods, for Demeter blessed the earth for her precious daughter, Kore.
Months passed, then years, then centuries. Demeter's baby girl grew to be a beautiful young woman. Naïve at best, but still the most beautiful goddess the young gods have ever seen. Aphrodite paled in comparison to the beauty of Demeter's daughter. Mortal men even dared approach Demeter in the fields and ask for her daughter's hand in marriage. Those who dared often got punished, or at best frightened by the wrath Demeter brought upon them and soon it became known among the mortals that the daughter of Demeter was forever off limits. This rule, however, did not quite catch the ears of the gods, for they still sought after Kore.
Apollo and Hermes were the best known of the suitors that would approach Kore. They would not give up no matter the punishment Demeter brought upon them. Apollo brought the young goddess, in an attempt to be sweet and witty, sunflowers, along with ballads he would write for her and epics of her beauty that were themselves, beautiful. Hermes, on the other hand, was just as romantic, but in a different approach. He brought with him treasures from across the world, items made by mortals that were astonishing beyond belief. He brought her the most delicious pastries and the loveliest of gowns. Kore was torn between the two gods for they both were handsome and both brought her a sense of adventure. Hermes brought to her items from near and far, while Apollo brought to her stories of the most daring of heroes. Hermes spoiled her while Apollo gave her sincere, personal affection. The choice was nearly impossible until Kore approached her mother with this dilemma.
"Kore, dear, what do you want to be married for?" Demeter would often say, "Stay away from those wretched men. They bring nothing but trouble."
And that was the end of that.
Kore told Apollo first that her mother forbid them from marrying. Apollo was heartbroken, surely, but he smiled as bright as the sun, bowed, and left. Hermes was much the same, only he had a crooked smile that was brilliant, but always made one suspicious. When he left, he made an excuse that he had some messages to deliver, and away went.
And that was definitely the end of that.
Demeter and Kore lived on in each other's company, and neither could have been happier. Demeter was glad to have her daughter and Kore was happy to have her mother. They brought prosperity to the earth and the mortals were grateful to them. Rumor has it, that the two goddesses were so pleasantly happy that they would often be seen among the fields with the mortals, harvesting grains and crops and flowers. Kore was particularly fond of flowers, especially those that grew in the meadows and by the streams. They always seemed the healthiest and the most vibrant. She resembled her mother's love for the earth, and that made her all the more desirable among the mortals.
One day, while exploring some woods with her nymph friends, Kore found herself separated from the others and lost. Not lost, per se, but not anywhere she was extremely familiar with. What had separated her from her friends was a path of hyacinths, red as blood. Immediately looking, the flowers would seem stranded, isolated, but once she got close enough to the flower to pluck it from the ground, she saw another, and the string of flowers continued. She plucked each flower and put it in her basket before continuing on to the next until she arrived to an empty clearing. The last flower stood in the center of the field with the woods behind her and a wall of worn rocks in front of her.
After placing the last flower in her basket, Kore looked around the field and noticed an opening in the rocks before her. A cave that looked quite mysterious. With hesitant steps, she walked forward. When she peered into the cave, there was nothing but steps that led down into darkness, never seeming to end.
Kore was scared. Scared that if she entered, she may never come out. She was also thrilled to find such a cave. She had always longed to have adventured such as those of Hermes or the brave heroes Apollo always told her about. This was finally her chance to do something she could tell a story about. An adventure she could one day be proud to share with others.
Taking a quick look behind her shoulder, Kore walked towards the first step of the cave, paused, then continued down five more steps. She heard a faint collision behind her, and when she turned around, the door outside was sealed.
With a deep breath and her head held high, Kore continued to walk down the stairs, fearing what may come, but excited for the adventure that was only beginning.